Monday Monday so good to me...

The Mama's and the Papa's 1960's sang about how good Monday was, and my Monday was ok, it wasn't jaw droppingly good but it was ok. I had 4 grade 8 classes all working on their projects, 1 free period and one of Diana's grade 7 classes in the library which turned into a farce.

1. There were not enough photocopies of the work to go around.
2. The photocopies didn't seem to answer the questions being asked.
3. There were only 8 computers.

Over all the kids were restless and the lack of PCs caused a general level of noise well above that which you would normally get in a library much to the librarians annoyance.

The idea is good but the facilities are insufficient to cope with the numbers. Tomorrow I am going to send half the class onto PCs by using my rooms 5 machines and the libraries 8 machines for 30 minutes and then swap the kids over half way through the period that way everyone should get a chance to do some research as today partly down to my not fully knowing what to expect the class was a nightmare due to organisation. Thats assuming my covers are going to the library, if its a PC room there isnt a problem as there are enough systems to allow all kids to use a computer at the same time.

What I do find very strange is the difference in attitude and maturity between the Grade 7 kids Diana teaches and the Grade 8 kids I teach. It doesn't look like a 1 grade difference it appears to be closer to 2 grades. Or maybe I have just been very lucky and got all the good kids in one year group. (I am sure there are other reasons if we looked into it)but the difference between them at this stage of their development is a huge void I find hard to believe will change in 6 months.

No update from IAA in Jordan but then today was an open day and they might well have been a bit busy. No doubt they'll be in touch soon.

Till tomorrow which I fear is going to be a teach all day scenario as my 2 free periods land on 2 of Diana's classes. Back at the beginning of the year I did suggest that where possible the department would cover for itself, ie.. Diana would cover for me and vice versa, what I didn't take into account is I havent had a day off work where as Diana is heavily involved with "visits, trips and courses" so next time I have a great idea I think I might just sit on it.

Hasta Manyana mi amigos....